The Winemaker's Dinner: Entrée (30 page)

“This physiological reaction is due to chemical responses in the brain and adrenal system,” he explained as he inserted his finger into her vagina and fucked her with it, driving her insane. “Your testosterone level has peaked, and your sexual desire is obviously high. The choline released by your brain right now is stimulating your urethral glands to produce lubrication. Couple this with the increased pressure of your vaginal wall, which forces lubricating plasma through your capillaries and onto its surface, and you have the reason you’re dripping wet. And your estrogen is making sure these processes run smoothly and without hesitation. It’s beautiful. Just beautiful.”

She loved the way he appreciated the human body and even more the way he particularly appreciated hers. She could see the infatuation in his eyes as his fingers began to move more quickly and explore her. She squirmed and rocked into her doctor’s touch. She gasped and dug her fingers into her thighs.

“Now the feeling you have right there—”

“Fuck!”

“That feeling of a pleasurable reward is dopamine being released in your brain, which is telling you this is good and not to not let me stop until you come—your ultimate reward.”

“Fuck! Don’t stop, doctor. Please don’t stop!” she said, finding it hard to keep her eyes in focus.
What is going on?
Being fingered had never felt so goddamn good.

“Now your vagina is relaxing and elongating in hopes of being penetrated with something more than just a finger.”

“Do it, then! God, yes! Do it.”

“In time,” he said as he repositioned the angle and motion of his hand. “Now for the actual orgasm. Are you ready for your evaluation?”

“God! Fuck! Ahhh!”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said, increasing his speed once again.

“The sensation you feel building right now—the one that promises something better with each stroke? That’s a result of oxytocin building in your system and wreaking sexual havoc on your mind and body.”

Jaden now writhed under his touch and raised her legs even higher to give him more access.

“It is the number one orgasm neurotransmitter in your body, and this, Ms. Thorne, is the answer to your question. This is the center of my sexual enhancement treatment.”

Her climax drew closer and closer and promised to be one of the biggest of her life. She bounced herself back and forth against his hands, which worked her into a bliss she hadn’t felt before.

“It’s the little green pill you took just before your exam, and it’s the reason for what you are about to feel. Are you ready, Ms. Thorne?” His voice rang in her ears and throughout her body.

“Oh, God! Yes! Yes!”

He leaned into her and curled his hand in a way that sent her soaring. Her body quivered as she rocked back and forth, kicking and flailing her arms against the sofa. She even kicked his fingers out of her as she came in a way she’d never come before. Her orgasmic screams filled the room as come ran down her thighs and her mind shut off. She was transported to a place she’d never been, but now wished she could live—a place without inhibitions, rules, jobs, or worries. A place of unity and earth-shattering orgasm.

As she came down from her high, a feeling of peace and trust settled over her. Eventually she was able to focus on her stunned doctor, who still knelt before her.

“I knew it worked great, but damn! I should charge more,” he said with a smile.

She laughed. Wearing nothing but her heels, she looked down at him from between her legs. “Wow, that’s a first,” she said, a bit embarrassed as she noticed her juices covering the couch, the floor, and—oh yes—his fabulous doctor coat.

“Now I know how you must feel,” he joked as he removed the jacket and curled up beside her on the couch.

“I hope that isn’t how all your exams go.”

“No, if they squirt like that, I charge them extra.”

Laughing, she kissed him. “That was fucking hot.”

“Yes. Yes, it was, baby girl.”

“In the Air Tonight”

T
HE
A
IR
R
EMAINED
C
HILLED
after the mid-afternoon showers that had swept through Miami Beach. Gazing across the bay from Ivan’s balcony, Jaden drank in the oranges and yellows and pinks that painted the Miami skyline as the sun set. She leaned against the railing and breathed in the smell of ocean, willing away the sense of worry that was her near-constant companion these days, always lingering just below the surface. Convincing herself again that she’d chosen the right path forward, she tried to focus on the beauty of the sunset.

In the background, Phil Collins sang of something in the air, and she took a sip of the wine Ivan had poured her. The bouquet of flavors danced across her tongue and rolled down the back of her throat, raising goose bumps on her arms and under the silky green dress that hugged her body tight.

As she scanned the islands scattered throughout the bay, marked by flickering lights, and listened to the crowd at the pool twelve stories below her, she remembered why Miami was such a magical place. And tonight was the night she’d get to watch her lifelong friend’s dream come true.

With a smile, she thought about all the times she and Tasha had imagined their weddings and their dream men. From gabbing over juice boxes to sipping cocktails, they’d long envisioned the day when just the right man would slip a diamond on their finger and they’d say yes. Jaden began to sway to the music and couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. But surely her day would come. She and Ivan were on firm ground with a wonderful future ahead. It was just a matter of getting there. For now, she’d be content with being happy for her best friend.

She glanced inside to find Ivan scurrying around half naked, talking on the phone and texting as he tried to get the rest of his suit on.
Wow, he’s pretty stressed
. Helping to organize such an important moment was a big deal, but this was the first time she’d been ready before him in their entire relationship. She watched as he paced back and forth: black shoes, black pants, and a black shirt, unbuttoned with shirttails fluttering at his sides. His open shirt exposed his abs and chest in just the right way to get a girl hot and bothered—not to mention wet.

As she watched him, she knew he’d given her the greatest happiness she’d ever known. This was the man she wanted to wake up next to every morning. This was the man she’d confide in and trust with her most intimate self. He knew her better than she knew herself sometimes. Why hadn’t it always been clear? When she was with Ivan, nothing was missing, and she was missing nothing. If he were to ask her, she’d have nothing to say but yes. And she’d make sure he asked her. No more mistakes. No more doubts. She was his.

“You okay?” he called from the living room.

“More than you know,” she said with a smile. “You look stressed. Come join me and have some wine.”

He checked his reflection in the mirror and ran a quick hand through his hair. “That’s an excellent idea.” He turned his attention to her and stepped onto the balcony, smiling all the way.

He grabbed the wine glass he’d abandoned earlier when balcony sex had been the priority. After taking a sip, he gathered her into his arms and embraced her as if he might never let go. She felt him breathe her in as she did the same. She ran her hands up his back and under his shirt, taking comfort in his warmth.

“You mean the world to me,” he whispered as his arms tightened around her.

She squeezed him in return.

He relaxed his embrace and stepped back just enough to raise his glass in toast. “Here’s to a night where words make wishes come true…a night when fate dictates an eternity.”

She smiled as they clinked glasses and turned toward the Miami skyline. It had provided the backdrop to so many of their nights together.

“Beautiful, eh?”

“Yes, it is. I miss it so much. But it’s moments like these that make it all worthwhile.” She took his hand in hers.

He smiled. “You never have to leave if you don’t want to.”

She nuzzled her head against his shoulder and sighed. “One of these times, I may not.”

He put his arm around her, and she felt exhilarated at the thought of spending the rest of her days in this moment with him. It was perfect—the sights, the smells, the sensations, the romance, the man.

“Well, I hope tonight goes off without a hitch,” he finally said.

“It will. I know Tasha’s going to say yes, and I know you’ve made sure it will be quite the show. I wonder how Micky’s feeling right now.”

“Nervous, scared, anxious, happy, overwhelmed…I’m guessing, of course. Just a shot in the dark, really.” He took a large gulp of wine.

“What are you nervous about? I’m sure everything is perfect. You should relax. Have fun. After all, you aren’t the one proposing.”

He laughed. “Yeah, well, I have to be sure my girl will say yes first.”

“You’ll never know if you never ask,” she replied.

“Hmmm…well, after tonight I should be able to gauge where and when that question might pop up.”

With that he pulled her close and kissed her. She tasted his lips and tried to ignore the shot of nervous electricity racing through her.

“You ready to get going?”

“Yes.” She gave him one more quick kiss and hugged him before heading back into the apartment. She gathered her purse, found her shoes, and was surprised to find him still on the balcony when she returned. “You coming?” she called.

He took one last massive chug of his wine and smiled. “Yes, dear! But first I’ve got to finish getting dressed. I can’t go anywhere like this.”

“Sail”

“A
RE
W
E
S
TOPPING
I
N
T
HE
L
OBBY
?” Jaden asked as she watched the elevator’s descent.

“What?”

“Are we not taking Betty?”

“Oh! Nope. No Betty tonight,” Ivan said with a laugh. “I decided to class it up a bit.”

“I like the tie, doctor! We match.” She straightened and smoothed his tie, which glimmered with hints of green.

“Well, isn’t that a coinkydink?” He grabbed her waist.

Ding!
The elevator doors opened and a couple that looked to be in their early hundreds exchanged places with them. They smiled at each other as they passed. Ivan took her hand and towed her along toward the front of the building.

“Could you handle me for that long?” he asked.

“I’d probably trade you in around seventy for a newer model.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? It’s the guy who usually upgrades his partner, isn’t it?”

“Trade-in maybe, but upgrade? Could you do better than me?” She smiled as she motioned to the way her dress hugged her curves, but she felt a quick stab of conscience within.

Ivan turned and stopped her. He held up their clasped hands and turned her slowly so he could check her out.

“No way in hell,” he concluded. “Perfection, baby.”

“You just want to get into these panties again.”

“Guilty. But also spoken from the heart,
mi amore
.” He pulled her in for a soft kiss that was interrupted by a screeching cackle.

“Will you two knock it off? We have places to go and people to see,” Tasha called from the end of the corridor.

Jaden looked up to find her friend standing with Micky, both of them dressed to an elegant perfection.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Can’t a man show affection these days without being ridiculed?”

“As long as he doesn’t keep his friends and the limo waiting!” Micky said.

“Limo?” she whispered.

“Well, a guy only gets to propose once, so I wanted to make sure it was perfect.”

“Ahh, that’s so nice, Ivan.”

“You seem surprised. Jeez.” He laughed as they joined their waiting posse.

“Everything go okay? Was the limo there on time?” Ivan asked Micky as the men shared a handshake and the girls a hug.

“Yes, sir. Right on time.”

She felt her excitement brimming close to the surface.
Oh, if she only knew
… “You look gorgeous, Tasha,” she gushed. “And you too, Micky. So nice!”

“We match,” he said proudly as he adjusted his black and blue striped tie, which coordinated with Tasha’s blue dress.

Jaden bit back a laugh and cut her eyes over to Ivan. “What a coinkydink.”

He just smiled as he motioned to the black Chrysler 300 stretch limo parked outside the doors. “All right, let’s get a move on. I’m starving and ready for a drink.”

“Well there’s a copious amount of champagne and booze in there, so I think we can get this party started on the drive over,” Tasha said as she started to the door.